Maxwell the Pies' most important: O'Brien

Collingwood's Harry O'Brien has tagged captain Nick Maxwell the Magpies' on-field coach and therefore the club's most important player.

Fellow Collingwood stars Scott Pendlebury and Alan Didak have also enthusiastically backed Maxwell and running defenders Heath Shaw and Leon Davis to all return in Saturday's qualifying final against West Coast.

Magpies coach Mick Malthouse on Monday expressed uncertainty about whether to simultaneously recall the three experienced backmen after forced absences of various durations.

But their team-mates are in little doubt that the trio can give the Magpies a huge boost against the Eagles at the MCG.

"In my opinion, Maxy's the most important player in our team," O'Brien said.

"Contrary to what a lot of external opinions are, they question whether or not he's in our best 22.

"For me playing alongside him, he's our most important player, it's like having a coach on the field."

O'Brien says having Maxwell alongside him in defence is the equivalent of having a direct line to Malthouse.

"His knowledge of the game plan and way that the coaching panel want us to play is by far the best out of any player in the team," he said.

Didak, who will play his 200th match on Saturday, says he did not view it as a risk to have Maxwell return from a thumb fracture, Shaw from his ban and Davis from a hamstring injury on the same day.

"The players that are going to come into the side are quality players," he said.

"We've got probably two of the best running backs in the competition and a fantastic leader.

"You can't really replace those guys."

Vice-captain Pendlebury was of a similar view, saying the leadership of Maxwell and Shaw in particular will be welcomed.